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Title: Forest of Enchantment Oracle
Author: Lunaea Weatherstone
Art by: Meraylah Allwood
Publisher: Llewellyn
Number of cards: 40
Card size: 5.5 x 3.75 in
Box size: 6.5 x 5 x 1.5 in approx
Guidebook pages: 120
Purchased or gifted?: Review copy provided by Llewellyn
Absolute favorite card: Cloak of Vanishing
Other favorites: (in order from most beloved) A light in the forest, the white lady, foxfire, you are here, the stone hares, phial of light, gingerbread house, branch of summoning
Season: Spring
Sabbat: Beltane
Sign: Taurus
Element: Earth
Deck compliment: Forest of Enchantment Tarot
Collective Pull: Good Company

Add to your altar

First Impressions

My very first thought is that I wish I had this deck in Spring. It’s very green, very earthy and looks very much like Beltane. While still beautiful in summer, I am itching to pull this deck out next April and May (in addition to Seasons of the Witch: Beltane Oracle of course). It’s also very whimsical and what I call wispy meaning, all of the edges feel soft. All of the artwork feels just slightly out of focus. That isn’t a bad thing though. I’m talking about that beautiful watercolor blurriness that makes everything appear more gentle. Ok so that’s it as far as first impressions goes so let’s dive into the good stuff.

The Packaging

The box is good as always with Llewellyn. They make beautiful boxes, no doubt about that. I’m a little surprised nothing is printed inside though. I feel like there’s almost always something inside of the cover but that’s not something to complain about—the box is still gorgeous. It has a book fold top with magnetic closure, platform inside to hold the cards and guidebook, as well as a gold ribbon to lift the cards out of the box. The whole box features a nice green color and it has gloss printing.

The cards are a little bigger than usual but easy enough to handle. There are 40 cards, which is a little slimmer than most oracle decks so shuffling isn’t an issue at all. The print is gloss and we know how I feel about glossy cards but the gloss isn’t overpowering here. It almost looks matte to be honest; something I notice many publishers are doing now. It’s like a semi-gloss I suppose and I actually don’t mind that.

The one sour point I have with this deck is the lack of gilding which is usually the singular negative thing I have to say about Llewellyn decks. A bright green or blue on this deck would’ve been incredible and I’m just so disappointed Llewellyn will not cave on this issue. There’s no doubt that when it comes to witch decks, Llewellyn is king but their decks could be exceptional if they would just add a bit of gilding. Ok, I’m moving on or I’ll rant about this all day.

The Guidebook

Llewellyn also does stunning guidebooks. This one, like pretty much all Llewellyn decks, is full color, easy to read and decorated well throughout. As for as written content, the guidebook includes:

- an introduction

- a section for getting to know your oracle deck

- four spreads

- a few closing thoughts from the Lorekeeper

- Working with boon cards (find it towards the end of the book)

- and a section on using oracle cards with tarot cards

I’ve noticed a lot more people are including that last section. I’ve talked about this extensively over the years because I have always combined tarot and oracle cards. So I’m happy to see this getting more traction. And there is a matching tarot deck which I will talk about later so it makes sense to have this section included for sure.

Each card has a list of keywords which you will find on the image of the card opposite the meaning, a description of the image, oracle advice and then a last section titled “Lorekeeper’s note.” Which appears to be an expansion upon the story of what’s happening within the card.

Theme

In the book, there is a line about how this deck isn’t just about fairy tales. It goes beyond that to explain what the forest and enchantment means to the human psyche. The ways the forest speaks to us and through us. The ways we communicate with the forest and find deeper meaning in our lives by listening to what the forest has to say. What a lovely sentiment. Humans have always dwelled near the forest and woods, making stories about plants and animals as guides so it makes sense to make an oracle which captures this idea.

*Foxfire, Cloak of Vanishing and Gingerbread House*

The Artwork

As I mentioned in my first impressions, this deck is very green! That is the dominant color for sure which of course makes sense with it being a forest deck. There’s also a lot of blues. It’s very clear that you’re looking at the forest, no doubt about that.

I also mentioned how soft and “blurry” it is for lack of a better word. When I say blurry, I mean how watercolor has that fluidity to it. It’s not that it’s out of focus or anything, it's just soft and peaceful I suppose. I didn’t realize at first but now having done the photos, I’ve noticed how much it reminds me of Lisa Hunt’s decks: Ghosts and Spirits Tarot and Fairytale Tarot. It has that same calm to it and while I didn’t think about it for a companion, Fairytale Tarot would probably go quite well with this.

My favorite card is called Cloak of Vanishing. I suppose it should seem scary since the cloak is missing a body but I find this card to be so gentle. It’s warm even and the presence of stardust makes me feel like this is a joyous card. When reading the meaning, I can’t say it’s happy but it does represent protection and that to me still feels positive. It’s also a special card called a “Boon” card which you can find towards the end of the guidebook.

“Like the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, this deck is not just about fairy tales or folk tales or myths or legends. It is about all of these and more.”

In general, I find the artwork to be quite sweet, especially cards like Gingerbread House and Jenny Wren. I also wanted to mention the door cards: The Door into Summer and the Door into Winter. Mostly because I had a similar idea for Seasons of the Witch: Winter Tarot. It used to bother me to have a similar idea to someone else but I have grown to appreciate it now. Imagine pulling The Door to Winter in this deck and then pulling The Fool (which is where you’ll find this same idea in my deck) from Winter Tarot. That feels validating to me. It’s like a wink from the universe, letting you know this message is especially important.

It also validates me in a way by letting me know my idea is sound. And of course, it shows the ways creators can do something that is exactly the same but also completely different. I say this because if you have an idea that’s similar to someone else, keep going. Your version will be completely different and will bring something completely unique to the table. Hold your vision and see it through. The people who need your version will find you and the people who need a different version will find what they need elsewhere. There’s enough to go around for everyone.

Own Forest of Enchantment Oracle

Reading With this Deck

So about my readings with this deck. I have found a consistent thread to what I have pulled and it all has to do with being creative. I’ll admit, it’s been a little challenging to keep pulling cards like this. I’ve felt really burnt out lately. I’m doing so many amazing projects but they are much too close together and I have found myself burning the candle on both ends. I can be an immensely creative person but when I’m overwhelmed, nothing happens. It’s like my creativity empties itself until I have some time to rest.

So when pulling cards from this deck, I got a little frustrated because it keeps telling me to express myself which I have found challenging at the moment. And in truth, I’ve been burying this feeling for a while now and working with this deck brought it all up. Obviously the deck is telling me I need to do something but I have found that no matter what I read about, it always comes back to the same thing.

What I find so interesting is that this deck told me it's going to dig into the unseen worlds when I work with it so I shouldn’t be surprised. This deck digs into your basement and pulls out the shit you’ve packed away and put out of your mind. It isn’t harsh by any means but it doesn’t let you ignore things, let me tell you that.

Collective Pull

If you’re reading this now, I have pulled Good Company for you. This card invites you to find a place that lifts your spirits, be it a familiar dwelling or someplace new. You need a little bit of cheer in your life right now. Your soul is yearning for people who can make you laugh until you cry, who will entertain you and push you out of your comfort zone. The kind of people who will make comedians out of wallflowers and extroverts out of introverts.

If you don’t have such a place or community, then this is your guidance to go and find somewhere that feels like home. You don’t have to work very hard, you just need to follow your bliss. If you like ceramics then spend time in a public studio with others who love ceramics. If you love doing yoga at home, try doing it at a studio or a meetup in the park. There is a place for everyone, you just have to go look for it.

Season, Sign, Element and Sabbat

This deck is spring for sure. It’s so green and lush and bright that I just can’t see it anywhere else, not even summer. Yes, lushness is a part of summer too but I associate those deep green tones with spring, before flowers and fruits and vegetables bloom. When it's just green leaves and grass which is what this deck reminds me of. Which is the reason I chose Beltane. Beltane is kind of right on the cusp, just before the world erupts in color.

I went with Taurus for the zodiac sign which of course occurs during the same time as Beltane so they share a similar energy. And I always think of green when I think of Taurus. Finally, the element is Earth, no doubt. I often try my best to choose anything other than Earth but with this being a forest deck, there really is no reason to seek anything different.

Who is this deck for?

Obviously if you’re a fan of Forest of Enchantment Tarot then you’re going to love this one so don’t hesitate to get it. If you really like earth decks then you’ll also like this one. It’s vibrant but not in a neon, color explosion way. All of the tones are very consistent and easy on the eyes.

Also, if you’re a fan of whimsical, fairytale art then this will sit well with your vibe for sure.

Deck Companion

The obvious choice is the Forest of Enchantment Tarot. I didn’t photograph this with it because sadly, I don’t have a copy of the tarot version and I wish I had gotten it before doing this review. However, I really love Fairytale Tarot with this deck too.

You can check out my review of Fairytale Tarot here.

Purchase Forest of Enchantment Tarot

Thanks for reading all the way through. If you found this review to be helpful, informative or entertaining in any way, please be sure to leave a comment down below. It really helps me know what you’re enjoying so that I can provide more content based on what you love. In the meantime, please enjoy a variety of photos from this deck.

And of course, if there is something you’d like me to consider reviewing, please comment below or email me at hello@spiritelement.co with the name of the deck and I will do my best to review it.